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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "Henry C. Azuka ----Diplomatic Envoy" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <diplomathenryazuka@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2015 11:12:08 +0800
Subject: Re: Delivery Date: MONDAY 6TH OF JULY 2015.
I have concluded arrangements for your funds ($7.5M) to be released to you on Monday.
There have been an order from above to release all the packages that are being held and as such i have requested for a Waiver Certificate from our Sub Consulate which will empower me to deliver the funds to you.
The Waiver Certificate is $70 and you have to pay the fee by Western Union or Money Gram in the name stated below:
RECEIVERS NAME: DAVID UFOMA
ADDRESS: 20 AROWOJOBE STREET, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA
TEST QUESTION: DELIVERY DATE?
ANSWER: MONDAY
The following information should be sent for confirmation of payment after the payment is made.
1) Sender's Name and Full Address Address
2) Payout Amount As Stated In The Payment Receipt
3) Reference Number or MTCN
4) The name of the closest Airport to your city of residence
5) Direct Telephone Numbers that you can be reached
I am doing this because I want you to receive your funds in other to assist your family.
YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
AT THIS POINT I MUST CONGRATULATE YOU AND HOPING TO HEAR FROM YOU.
PLEASE FOR THE SAKE OF PROFESSIONALISM IF YOU HAVE NO INTENTION OF PAYING THE FEE AS INSTRUCTED DON'T BOTHER TO REPLY
Regards
Henry
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https://www.avast.com/antivirus
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Anti-fraud resources:
